But
Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor have managed just five Premier League goals between them since the turn of the year. And AVB wants Barcelona striker David Villa and Aston Villa marksman Christian Benteke
as replacements.

The Spurs boss said afterwards: “I said before this game that whether we made it into the Champions League or not we would have to raise the bar again because our competitors will do the same.

“We
got ever so close. But they will do their job in window, and we will do
ours the Tottenham way, scouting properly and looking for good grabs in
summer window to make it a stronger squad.”

Sunderland
boss Paolo Di Canio added: “They need big, big quality. Another top top
striker because Defoe and Adebayor they can guarantee goals but they need a top top striker up front in my opinion.

“If
they do get one they are in contention for the league because Man City and Chelsea are going to reinforce their team and Jose Mourinho will probably come back. But the job that they have done already this year is
amazing.”

Tottenham’s 72-point Premier League tally is their highest ever. The club already plan to scrap their usual policy of waiting until Deadline Day to move for their top transfer targets this summer.

With
Arsenal and Chelsea linked with Wayne Rooney and both Manchester clubs looking to back their new bosses with top-line signings, Villas Boas believes Spurs must spend big to match them.

He
added: “Getting 72 points and not making it means that next season to compete at this level we have to make probably more than that.

“The other teams have great great squads and will continue to add quality.

Next
year we’ll have to be extremely competitive. We have given it a good run in the end - the difference between teams is very very short. We will make that a lesson to take into the future.

“Its difficult for me. Obviously we would ideally have achieved that fourth spot. We certainly did enough to deserve it.

“But we didn’t in the end and, moving forward, it is where we want to be so we will try next season.

“I
see how fans feel regarding the Champions League and I think we’ve all shown the determination and character this season but the others have done ever so well.”

With Tottenham’s top-four fate decided, Real Madrid and Manchester United are
now set to make their move for the four-time Player of the Year Bale, who picked up two more club awards on the pitch after the match.

But Spurs believe Bale will sign a new deal next month. Villas Boas said:

“It will be very, very difficult to lure a player of this dimension away. You have to hold onto your best assets.”

The
Spurs boss also insisted Bale is not too big a star to play in the Europa League again. He went on: “The Europa League is a wonderful competition won by Chelsea, the European Champions.”